Are you Denmark's new defense advisor in Washington?

Are you passionate about security and defense policy, and do you want to contribute to strengthening cooperation between Denmark and the United States? Do you have international outlook and interest in promoting Danish positions in the defense policy area? And do you enjoy working with dynamic and dedicated people in a professionally strong environment? Then you should consider applying for the position of defense advisor in Washington, D.C.

About us

Europe and Denmark are in a heightened security policy situation, and the Danish defense is undergoing a comprehensive strategic transformation that entails a historic strengthening. Security for Denmark in an increasingly complex threat landscape means that there is a need to accelerate the build-up of the Danish Armed Forces’ combat power, procure materiel worth billions, reinforce international alliances – not least NATO – and strengthen defense in the Arctic and the North Atlantic.

The close defense and security policy cooperation between Denmark and the United States takes place across all military domains, and it is continually developing in step with the security policy situation and technological development. In these years, cooperation focuses especially on the Arctic and the North Atlantic, defense industry and procurements, as well as NATO’s efforts to ensure credible deterrence and defense, where new technologies play a decisive role.

The Danish embassy in Washington plays a central role in the cooperation between Denmark and the United States in the security and defense policy area.

About the position

As a defense advisor you will work closely with the defense department as well as the foreign and security policy department at the embassy. Your main tasks will be to:

• Keep the Danish Ministry of Defense, the Defense Command, and other Danish authorities informed about current defense and security policy issues in the USA, including positions and expectations for meetings within NATO and other multilateral fora.
• Further develop the defense cooperation between Denmark and the USA and build close working relationships with key individuals in the U.S. Department of Defense as well as other relevant authorities, defense-industrial actors, think tanks and research environments.
• Monitor relevant defense and security policy agendas, with particular focus on innovation, new technologies and acquisitions.
• Provide support for planning and execution of various visits, meetings, courses and the like, including ministerial visits.
• Contribute to advising the Danish ambassador and the Danish defense attaché in Washington on defense and security policy issues in coordination with the defense department and the embassy’s political departments.
• Support processes related to procurements, defense industrial cooperation, etc.

The position is located at the Danish embassy in Washington, D.C.

About you

We expect you to have a relevant academic educational background and experience in the security and defense policy area. It would be an advantage if you have insight into the intersection of defense policy and new technology.

To be considered for the position we place emphasis on you having the following qualities

• Broad knowledge of international affairs, including knowledge of and experience with cooperation with the USA and/or NATO.
• Overview and ability to handle complex situations.
• Holistic view and strong analytical abilities.
• Strong communication skills both written and oral in Danish and English.
• Good diplomatic skills and cultural understanding.
• Interest in and preferably experience with technology-driven agendas within the defense and security area.

As a defense advisor you will contribute to maintaining the existing cooperation with one of Denmark’s most important allies at both political and strategic levels. You should also have an eye for development opportunities and potential new collaborations in the defense field that may arise as a result of changes in the general security policy situation and shifting American priorities. It would be an advantage if you also have insight into technological development in areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud/digital infrastructure, robotics, unmanned systems and cyber.

Personally you are proactive, outgoing and have the ability to handle large and small tasks independently, quickly and efficiently. The position requires a high degree of flexibility and adaptability. You also have a talent for networking and can collaborate with people across different professional and cultural backgrounds.

You are able to handle complex political matters and conduct yourself in a diplomatic manner. It is an advantage if you have experience from the Ministry of Defense’s department, the Defense agencies, or the Defense Command, or from previous international work.

Terms of employment

You are academically educated and will be employed as a special consultant or chief consultant under the applicable academic agreement between the Ministry of Finance and academics in the state. Additionally, depending on qualifications, there may be the possibility to negotiate allowances. There is an employer-funded pension scheme attached to the position at 18.07%.

During the posting you will be posted under a special attaché scheme and will be subject to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ instructions and will receive a tax-free foreign allowance.

You will be posted for 3 years with the possibility of extension.

As an employee under the Ministry of Defence you are subject to certain special terms. This means, among other things, that you must be able to obtain a security clearance and maintain it throughout your period of employment. In addition, you must be able to document that your physical health and your teeth are in good condition prior to posting in international service. You must be able to document language proficiency in English corresponding to the Defence Academy’s language test in English level STANAG 3-3-3-3.

If you are designated for an international mission, please indicate this in your application.

Contact and application

If you want to know more about the position you are welcome to contact the head of office for International Affairs Nikolaj Juncher Wædegaard at tel. +45 2022 6308 or [email protected] or the defense attaché to the USA, Major General Karsten Fledelius Jensen, at tel. +1 202 967 9838 or + 45 4032 9221.

If you have questions about salary and employment terms, you can contact the Personnel Command, HR consultant Rikke Frandsen at tel. +45 32 66 57 36.

The position is available from March 1, 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The application deadline is October 31, 2026. We expect to hold interviews in week 45.

In the Ministry of Defence’s organization we believe that diversity improves task solving. Therefore, we encourage qualified candidates from across the realm to apply for the position, regardless of personal background.

Applications with relevant attachments are to be submitted electronically via the link. We look forward to hearing from you!